A tale of two suspended cities

<p>Thesis investigation looks to allegorical architecture as a means of enhancing our awareness of our environment. This investigation began in early 2016 with the discovery of a little-known architectural history of the Muaūpoko people and their suspended treevillage, Te Pā Rākau, in Horowhenua Aotearoa. Later, the invitation to participate in the construction of a treehouse for the 2016 Terni International Performing Arts Festival in Italy, provided an opportunity for the development of two unique design projects for this thesis – and to explore how allegorical architecture could respond uniquely to two tales of two very different cities: one, a mythological tale called Octavia - born of the urban unrest of post-industrial Italy; and two, a true but little known tale called Te Pa-Rakau from the extraordinary architectural history of precolonial Aotearoa. The tale that is told through the Octavia project is quite different from the one told through the Te Pā Rākau project, yet the formal outcomes have many similarities. In this way the two bodies of work are effectively reflections of one another. Each project is unified by the reseach aim of enhancing our awareness of nature through the creation of an ephemeral architecture of lightness as a starting point – but then each branches out in different directions based on a response to a unique narrative, unique cultural needs, environmental and contextual factors. This investigation seeks to enhance our awareness of the importance of a human cultural context within two ‘natural’ environments of two antipodean countries. Both environments have been transformed by humankind, fractured, to such a great degree that in Aotearoa while we still have some remnants of the original condition of our ancient lowland forests, they are just tiny fragments of what once was, and they are devoid of much of their former wildlife. In Italy this investigation focuses on an urban site in a region where there exists no intact original forests; the wild trees have been completely broken, reformed, reshaped by humankind so that they do not even look like naturally occurring trees anymore. Both scenarios explore how architecture can be used to make people aware of how important a relationship to nature really is; how beautiful it is; and how we need to enable it rather than disable it. This design-led investigation addresses the following aims: TAHI: To create a lightweight, tensile architecture that touches lightly upon the delicate forested environment in which it is sited. RUA: To create an architectural environment capable of inspiring a sense of human belonging within the indigenous forest; and to encourage an understanding and custodianship for this environment. TORU: To incorporate storytelling design elements into architecture to encourage the telling of oral histories; and to re-imagine the tale of suspended cities through contemporary architectural intervention. WHA: To create an anthropomorphic architecture that expresses itself as a living part of the forest; and to express, through built form, the narrative of the vibrant wildlife that once existed in this environment.</p>

A tale of two suspended cities

<p>Thesis investigation looks to allegorical architecture as a means of enhancing our awareness of our environment. This investigation began in early 2016 with the discovery of a little-known architectural history of the Muaūpoko people and their suspended treevillage, Te Pā Rākau, in Horowhenua Aotearoa. Later, the invitation to participate in the construction of a treehouse for the 2016 Terni International Performing Arts Festival in Italy, provided an opportunity for the development of two unique design projects for this thesis – and to explore how allegorical architecture could respond uniquely to two tales of two very different cities: one, a mythological tale called Octavia - born of the urban unrest of post-industrial Italy; and two, a true but little known tale called Te Pa-Rakau from the extraordinary architectural history of precolonial Aotearoa. The tale that is told through the Octavia project is quite different from the one told through the Te Pā Rākau project, yet the formal outcomes have many similarities. In this way the two bodies of work are effectively reflections of one another. Each project is unified by the reseach aim of enhancing our awareness of nature through the creation of an ephemeral architecture of lightness as a starting point – but then each branches out in different directions based on a response to a unique narrative, unique cultural needs, environmental and contextual factors. This investigation seeks to enhance our awareness of the importance of a human cultural context within two ‘natural’ environments of two antipodean countries. Both environments have been transformed by humankind, fractured, to such a great degree that in Aotearoa while we still have some remnants of the original condition of our ancient lowland forests, they are just tiny fragments of what once was, and they are devoid of much of their former wildlife. In Italy this investigation focuses on an urban site in a region where there exists no intact original forests; the wild trees have been completely broken, reformed, reshaped by humankind so that they do not even look like naturally occurring trees anymore. Both scenarios explore how architecture can be used to make people aware of how important a relationship to nature really is; how beautiful it is; and how we need to enable it rather than disable it. This design-led investigation addresses the following aims: TAHI: To create a lightweight, tensile architecture that touches lightly upon the delicate forested environment in which it is sited. RUA: To create an architectural environment capable of inspiring a sense of human belonging within the indigenous forest; and to encourage an understanding and custodianship for this environment. TORU: To incorporate storytelling design elements into architecture to encourage the telling of oral histories; and to re-imagine the tale of suspended cities through contemporary architectural intervention. WHA: To create an anthropomorphic architecture that expresses itself as a living part of the forest; and to express, through built form, the narrative of the vibrant wildlife that once existed in this environment.</p>

How Can Geomorphology Inform Ecological Restoration? A Synthesis of Geophysical and Biological Assessment to Determine Restoration Priorities

<p>The central concern that this study addresses is how an understanding of geomorphological processes and forms may inform ecological restoration; particularly practical restoration prioritisation. The setting is that of a hill country gully system covered in grazing pasture which historically would have been cloaked in indigenous forest. The study examines theory in conjunction with an application using a case study centred on Whareroa Farm (the restoration site) and Paraparaumu Scenic Reserve (the reference site) on the southern Kapiti Coast, north of Wellington. The impact that the change of land use has had on the soil and geomorphic condition of Whareroa and the influence the changes may have on the sites restoration is investigated. The thesis demonstrates a method of choosing reference sites to be used as templates for rehabilitating the restoration site. Geographical Information Systems and national databases are used and supplemented with site inspection. The reference site chosen, Paraparaumu Scenic Reserve, proved to be a good template for the restoration site particularly given that it is located in the midst of a heavily modified area. On-site inspection considering dendritic pattern and floristic composition confirms the database analysis results. Soil variables (bulk density, porosity, soil texture, pH, Olsen P, Anaerobic Mineralisable N, Total N (AMN), Total C and C:N ratio) are investigated and statistical comparisons made between the sites to quantify changes due to land-use change, i.e. deforestation and subsequent pastoral grazing. Factors investigated that may explain the variation in the soil variables were site (land use), hillslope location, slope aspect, and slope angle. Permutation tests were conducted to investigate the relationships between the independent factors and the SQI (dependent soil variables). Land use and slope angle were most frequent significant explanatory factors of variation, followed by hillslope location whilst slope aspect only influenced soil texture. A number of soil variables at Whareroa were found to be outside the expected range of values for an indigenous forest soil including AMN, Total N, Olsen P, and pH ...</p>

How Can Geomorphology Inform Ecological Restoration? A Synthesis of Geophysical and Biological Assessment to Determine Restoration Priorities

<p>The central concern that this study addresses is how an understanding of geomorphological processes and forms may inform ecological restoration; particularly practical restoration prioritisation. The setting is that of a hill country gully system covered in grazing pasture which historically would have been cloaked in indigenous forest. The study examines theory in conjunction with an application using a case study centred on Whareroa Farm (the restoration site) and Paraparaumu Scenic Reserve (the reference site) on the southern Kapiti Coast, north of Wellington. The impact that the change of land use has had on the soil and geomorphic condition of Whareroa and the influence the changes may have on the sites restoration is investigated. The thesis demonstrates a method of choosing reference sites to be used as templates for rehabilitating the restoration site. Geographical Information Systems and national databases are used and supplemented with site inspection. The reference site chosen, Paraparaumu Scenic Reserve, proved to be a good template for the restoration site particularly given that it is located in the midst of a heavily modified area. On-site inspection considering dendritic pattern and floristic composition confirms the database analysis results. Soil variables (bulk density, porosity, soil texture, pH, Olsen P, Anaerobic Mineralisable N, Total N (AMN), Total C and C:N ratio) are investigated and statistical comparisons made between the sites to quantify changes due to land-use change, i.e. deforestation and subsequent pastoral grazing. Factors investigated that may explain the variation in the soil variables were site (land use), hillslope location, slope aspect, and slope angle. Permutation tests were conducted to investigate the relationships between the independent factors and the SQI (dependent soil variables). Land use and slope angle were most frequent significant explanatory factors of variation, followed by hillslope location whilst slope aspect only influenced soil texture. A number of soil variables at Whareroa were found to be outside the expected range of values for an indigenous forest soil including AMN, Total N, Olsen P, and pH ...</p>

Assessment of Plant Biodiversity at 3 Different Elevation of Protected Forest of Subtropical Pine Forest of Meghalaya

The study and survey which was carried out to identify and assess diversity of plant species of sub tropical pine forest of Meghalaya was conducted during 2020-2021 at three different elevation stands located at 982 m (low-elevation stand), 1485 m (mid-elevation stand) and at 1816 m (high-elevation stand). Pinus kesiya was found to be the most dominant from all the three stand. A total of 34species of trees belonging to 19 families were recorded which consisted a total number of 857 individuals of trees, 14 species of shrubs belonging to 10 families recorded a total number of 866 individuals, and an overall occurrence of 20 species of herbaceous species belonging to 13 families recorded a total number of 670 individuals. Elaeagnus conferta was maximum for IVI in both high and mid elevation stand while Lantana camara showed maximum IVI in the low elevation. The herbaceous species diversity, richness and evenness indices was highest in high elevation and lowest in the low elevation, while herbaceous species of dominance showed a reverse trend. Tree and shrub species of the three elevation stand were quite similar in the mid and low elevation stand. The diversity richness of indigenous forest shows considerable variation in occurrence of species between different altitudes. Most of the species in the study area have medicinal value and socio-economic importance. Therefore, there is a need for necessary action towards sustainability of forest and conservation of species at large.

Policy analysis of customary forest governance in maintaining biodiversity in South Sulawesi

Indigenous forest governance in Indonesia has contributed to maintaining biodiversity. However, the policy or better known as local wisdom on governance, is not widely known. An in-depth study is needed to reveal customary forest governance, especially in South Sulawesi. This study aims to analyze customary forest governance policies in maintaining biodiversity. Data were collected through literature study, observation, and interviews in Bulukumba and Enrekang regencies, South Sulawesi province. The data that has been obtained were analyzed by descriptive method. As a result, indigenous peoples have policies or local wisdom on customary forest management in maintaining biodiversity. Local wisdom is in the form of customary law, which is still obeyed and implemented by indigenous peoples to this day.

KONSEP DAN PERSEPSI MASYARAKAT ETNIS MEYAH TENTANG HUTAN ADAT DI KAMPUNG MEREJEMEG, KABUPATEN MANOKWARI

The study was aimed to obtain the concept of indigenous forest according to the Meyah ethnic community, the Meyah ethnic community's perception of indigenous forest, and the factors that influence the use of the indigenous forest by the Meyah ethnic community. Descriptive methods with observation and interview techniques are used in this study. Respondents were selected by purposive sampling, as many as 30 families. The results show that the concept of indigenous forest according to the Meyah ethnic community is a forest area given by God the Creator of the Universe as human property rights to live for generations, reproduce and adapt to their environment, and utilize the resources in the forest. Ownership of indigenous forests is controlled by individuals or clan groups for generations in certain areas marked by natural boundaries. The first activity in utilizing the forest as a source of life was by clearing land for houses and gardening as well as collecting forest products, which were used as the basis for determining the boundaries of land and forest rights. The Meyah ethnic community has a strong perception of indigenous forests, both perceptions of indigenous forest ownership, indigenous forest sustainability, and indigenous forest use. The factors that influence the Meyah ethnic community in the use of indigenous forests consist of a) determining factors, namely: customs and way of life about the forest; b) supporting factors, namely: livelihood and length of stay, and c) driving factors, namely: the role of traditional and religious leaders.